'Animal' actor Saurabh Sachdeva on working with Dev Patel on 'The Peasant': 'There is no noise around his process, only intent'

Actor and acting coach Saurabh Sachdeva recently opened up about his experience of working on 'The Peasant', an upcoming international action thriller directed by Dev Patel. The actor is now part of a project that has already attracted attention among film followers. The Peasant marks Dev Patel's next directorial venture following 'Monkey Man'.During his interaction with Variety India, Saurabh explained that joining the project felt different from a regular film experience. According to him, there was a sense that something larger was unfolding around the production. Speaking about the experience, he said, “It felt like both. On one level, it was a film set, with all the discipline, pressure and creative exchange that comes with it. But on another level, you could sense that something larger was shifting. When a company like A24 chooses to shoot its first film in India, it is not just a production decision; it is a cultural signal. You feel that you are part of a moment where India is being seen differently, and that makes the experience very special.”Saurabh also discussed his experience observing Dev Patel as an actor and filmmaker. He explained that Patel's clarity and focus stood out while handling multiple responsibilities. He said, “What struck me most about Dev was his clarity. When someone is carrying so many responsibilities, there is often a risk of diffusion, but with him there was complete focus. He had a very strong sense of what the scene needed, what the story needed, and what the emotional truth of the moment was.” The actor further explained that Dev's ability to remain calm and focused impressed him during the project. He added, “What people may not always see is how present and grounded he is in the middle of all that responsibility. There is no noise around his process, only intent.”The actor also shared his thoughts on how Indian stories are increasingly being viewed on a global level. He believes that the perception surrounding Indian storytelling has started changing. Speaking about the shift, he said, “Yes, and it feels overdue. For too long India was treated as exotic scenery or a cost-effective location. Now there’s a shift: international producers and audiences are recognising that Indian stories carry their own architecture, rhythms, and emotional logic.”Saurabh also reflected on why preserving cultural identity matters in storytelling and why authenticity can create stronger global connections. He said, “Completely. I think we still carry a colonial hangover in storytelling. We think ‘international’ means sanding away our edges.” He further added, “Globally, people are actually exhausted by sameness. They are searching for emotional texture. And India has a terrifyingly rich texture. Our families alone contain more emotional complexity than entire screenplays sometimes.” Concluding his thoughts, he said, “The future is not an imitation. The future is specific. The more honestly we reveal ourselves, the more universal we become.”'The Peasant' is set in 14th-century India and follows a shepherd whose life changes dramatically after a devastating attack on his community pushes him toward revenge. Alongside Dev Patel, the film features Christian Friedel, Sebastian Bull, Anasuya Sengupta and several other actors in key roles.